The 2009 Ford Flex has aced the National Highway Traffic Safety Association’s frontal- and side-impact crash tests, receiving the highest five-star rating for both tests, Ford announced today. The Flex went on to earn four-star rollover ratings in both front- and all-wheel drive versions.
Ford also claims it builds more five-star rated vehicles than any automaker, and the Flex’ standard-issue dual front airbags, side curtain airbags, tire pressure monitoring, traction and stability control systems helped the crossover vehicle earn the high marks. The body structure is made of aluminum-coated boron steel, and the chassis is shared with the Ford Taurus and Taurus X, both of which also received 5-star ratings.
The five-star rating means the crash test dummy belted into the front seat will be 10 percent or less likely to suffer a serious head injury than a four-star rated vehicle at an impact into a fixed barrier with the vehicle moving at 35mph. The side impact test involves a 3,015 barrier hitting the side of the vehicle at 38.5mph, and translates to a 5 percent or smaller chance of suffering a serious injury by both front and rear seat occupants.
08/05, 2:55 PM
posted by:
xyunya
The guy who designed this thing has already been crashed by Ford. Congrats.
08/05, 2:58 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Very good news for me, as my wife really likes the Flex and may consider it as a replacement for our minivan.
08/05, 2:59 PM
posted by:
xyunya
beatusmongous, it is a minivan. It just has a bigger schnooze
08/05, 2:59 PM
posted by:
brassmonkey
5 star crash ratings, 1 star design. When the manufacturer says they have plans for a redesign the same day the first one rolls off the line, that’s bad.
08/05, 3:01 PM
posted by:
macabre
My guess is that some Volvo technology is trickling down to Ford now. Perhaps some use of structural foam and strategic use of high strength steel is helping in the crash worthiness of this design.
08/05, 3:02 PM
posted by:
ihustle
They do have more 5 star crash safety ratings then any other company. There is a reason. Before volvo Ford was at a standard for crash safet rating. Volvo was known as the safest company for years. Ford inherited alot of there technology when buying them. Which they should. The only problem i find with the flex is Ford has not put out a national program for themn. My store is over 90% lease penetration, when theres no program and residuals are low its very hard to convince a potential customer that is the way to go. Ford shot themselves in the foot with the taurus x, due to poor publicity and no program. I dont believe they’ll make the same mistake twice.
08/05, 3:09 PM
posted by:
fuk-u-asshole
looks so ****ing good. the haters have no idea of design
08/05, 3:10 PM
posted by:
crackerhemi
What car doesn’t get 5 star front and side nowadays? What about rollover? 1star no doubt
08/05, 3:11 PM
posted by:
shaver
I like it over most of its competition. Aluminum coated, boron steel sounds good.
08/05, 3:14 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
There’s nothing wrong with Flex, other than FWD and not enough HP. Not as stupid as a minivan, even if it really is one. But big vehicles ain’t moving these days. Flex is on the dealer lots in my city but not on the streets.
08/05, 3:18 PM
posted by:
jonnycat
Your 90% lease pentration is going down. Sub vented lease programs are going away.
08/05, 3:25 PM
posted by:
peacemf
its a big ugly girl!
08/05, 3:29 PM
posted by:
441Zuke
unfortunantly when people see it they go blind causing them to have an accident.
08/05, 3:35 PM
posted by:
fuk-u-asshole
fords best US designed vehicle
08/05, 3:36 PM
posted by:
ihustle
are lease penetration has been at a stand still at 87% for the last three months. Its the salesman not the residual.
are dealership only has great salesman. That why we stand at #4 for Ny and NJ region and weve never had 1 advertisement. Itsz word of mouth and putting lease customers in brand new vehicles
08/05, 3:36 PM
posted by:
purdue
It’s huge and ugly and won’t sell well.
I wish they’d put back good old front/rear metal non-attached bumpers.
08/05, 4:25 PM
posted by:
cwa107
Big surprise there… it is based on a Volvo platform, is it not? The question is… who would want “The Family Truckster”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Truckster
08/05, 5:09 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
So, iHustle, just out of curiosity what dealership do you run?
I had seen a Flex in the nearby mall not too long ago. Really nice looking vehicle for starts. Took a quick look inside, sat in one, and it looked like a really nice, high quality car. Extremely clean, simple design, everything fits together very well and looks as if it was meant to be there. I’ve always loved quite a few Fords, but I find when they put their minds to something, they usually come out with something very reliable, simple and clean. Older Taurus, nearly all their recent vehicles. And hey, GM’s improved just as much, although I don’t think their… as focused sometimes. It seems that GM lately has been trying to go after much complex ideas, after only recently getting rid of their recent idiology… or idiotology…
08/05, 7:05 PM
posted by:
Htay9500
fuk-u-asshole: couldn’t be more correct.
08/05, 9:16 PM
posted by:
C6Racer
Good luck getting out of it after a crash if, in fact, the Flex does use boron steel. The shears that fire departments use have a great deal of trouble cutting though that steel to get the roof off after a crash. My older brother is a fire fighter and says that Volvo’s are the biggest pain when it comes to extricating crash victims because of that steel being used in the A-pillars. You may live through the crash, but extrication takes so long that you may die of any injuries.
08/05, 9:21 PM
posted by:
Bubs Solo
if I needed to move around 5 to 7 passengers this is what I would drive.
08/05, 10:13 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
It would have been funnier to say, “You may live through the crash, but extrication takes so long that you may die of old age.”
08/05, 11:26 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
If you experience extrication lasting more than 36 hrs please consult your physician.
08/06, 3:11 PM
posted by:
C6Racer
Haha good point, beatusmongous.
There goes johnny providing us with our daily laugh.
I agree extrication is a funny sounding word, but, then again, so is masticate. haha